Abstract

In previous work, we introduced the fundamentals and a supporting combinator library for strategic programming. This an idiom for generic programming based on the notion of a functional strategy: a first-class generic function that cannot only be applied to terms of any type, but which also allows generic traversal into subterms and can be customized with type-specific behaviour.

This paper seeks to provide practicing functional programmers with pragmatic guidance in crafting their own strategic programs. We present the fundamentals and the support from a user’s perspective, and we initiate a catalogue of strategy design patterns. These design patterns aim at consolidating strategic programming expertise in accessible form.